“TU NE QUAESIERIS.”

(VILLANELLE.)

SEEK

EEK not, O Maid, to know

(Alas! unblest the trying !) When thou and I must go.

Will Jove long years bestow ?-
Or is 't with this one dying,
That thou and I must go ;

Now,-when the great winds blow, And waves the reef are plying?.. Seek not, O Maid, to know.

Rather let clear wine flow,
On no vain hope relying ;
When thou and I must go

Lies dark ;-then be it so.
Now,-now, churl Time is flying ;
Seek not, O Maid, to know
When thou and I must go.

1877.

THE PRODIGALS.

(BALLADE : IRREGULAR.)

“PRINCES !—and you, most valorous,

Nobles and Barons of all degrees ! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,

Beggars that come from the over-seas !

Nothing we ask or of gold or fees; Harry us not with the hounds we pray ;

Lo,-for the surcote's hem we seize,Give usmah! give us- --but Yesterday !"

“Dames most delicate, amorous !

Damosels blithe as the belted bees ! Hearken awhile to the prayer of us,

Beggars that come from the over-seas !

Nothing we ask of the things that please ; Weary are we, and worn, and gray ;

Lo,-for we clutch and we clasp your knees,-Give us ah ! give us—but Yesterday !”

“Damosels-Dames, be piteous !"

(But the dames rode fast by the roadway trees.) “Hear us, O Knights magnanimous !”

(But the knights pricked on in their panoplies.) Nothing they gat or of hope or ease, But only to beat on the breast and say:

“Life we drank to the dregs and lees; Give us--ah! give us—but Yesterday !"

ENVOY.

YOUTH, take heed to the prayer of these ! Many there be by the dusty way,—

Many that cry to the rocks and seas “Give us—ah! give us—but Yesterday !"

1876.

ON A FAN THAT BELONGED TO THE

MARQUISE DE POMPADOUR.

(BALLADE.)

"HICKEN-SKIN, delicate, white,

Painted by Carlo Vanloo, Loves in a riot of light,

Roses and vaporous blue ;

Hark to the dainty frou-frou ! Picture above, if you can,

Eyes that could melt as the dew,This was the Pompadour's fan !

See how they rise at the sight,

Thronging the Eil de Bæuf through, Courtiers as butterflies bright,

Beauties that Fragonard drew,

Talon-rouge, falbala, queue, Cardinal, Duke,—to a man,

Eager to sigh or to sue,This was the Pompadour's fan!

Ah, but things more than polite

Hung on this toy, voyez-vous !